Exorcising restraint: reducing the use of restrictive interventions in a secure learning disability service (2016)

Summary

This paper in the Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour describes the nature and impact of a restraint reduction strategy implemented within a secure learning disability service in response to the national Positive and Safe programme.

Once the programme was completed, the following results were achieved:

• prone restraint was eliminated
• mechanical restraint was eliminated
• 42% reduction in general use of restraint
• 42% reduction in use of seclusion
• 52% reduction in rapid tranquilisation.